BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE 3-SUBSTITUTED OXINDOLE DERIVATIVES USEFUL AS ANTI-ANGIOGENIC AGENTS

Abstract: The new use of a compound of formula (I) wherein Y is a bicyclic ring selected from naphthalene, tetralin, quinoline, isoquinoline and indole; n is zero or an integer of 1 to 3; R1 is hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl or C2-C6 alkanoyl; R2 is hydrogen, halogen, C1-C6 alkyl, cyano, carboxy, nitro, or NHR, wherein R is hydrogen or C1-C6 alkyl; R3 is hydrogen or C1-C6 alkyl; R4 is hydrogen, hydroxy, C1-C6 alkoxy, C2-C6 alkanoyloxy, carboxy, nitro or NHR, wherein R is as defined above; R5 is hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl or halogen; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and wherein when Y is naphthalene then n is zero or an integer of 1 to 3, whereas when Y is tetralin, quinoline, isoquinoline or indole then n is zero, 1 or 2; and wherein when the bicyclic ring Y is naphthalene, quinoline, isoquinoline or indole, then each of the substituents OR1, R2 and oxindolylidene may be independently on either of the aryl or heteroaryl moieties of said bicyclic ring, whereas only the benzene moiety is substituted when Y is tetralin; and wherein when Y is naphthalene, tetralin, quinoline or isoquinoline, then R2 is hydrogen, halogen, cyano or C1-C6 alkyl and R3, R4 and R5 are hydrogen; whereas when Y is indole, then R2 is hydrogen, halogen, C1-C6 alkyl, cyano, carboxy, nitro or -NHR, in which R is as defined above, R3 is hydrogen or C1-C6 alkyl, R4 is hydrogen, hydroxy, C1-C6 alkoxy, C2-C6 alkanoyloxy, carboxy, nitro or -NHR, wherein R is as defined above, and R5 is hydrogen, halogen or C1-C6 alkyl; as anti-angiogenic agent is disclosed.

Description: BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE 3-SUBSTITUTED OXINDOLE DERIVATIVES USEFUL AS ANTI-ANGIOGENIC AGENTS The present invention relates to the use of 3- substituted oxindole derivatives as angiogenesis inhibitors. As known, angiogenesis, i.e. the growth of new blood vessels, is an essential component in the development of several pathological conditions in mammals, for instance chronic inflammation, diabetic retinopathy, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, solid tumor growth and development of etastases. Accordingly, there is a need in therapy for drugs able to suppress the growth of new blood vessels. WO 91/13055 and WO 93/01182 provide in their complex aryl- and heteroaryl-methylene derivatives having tyrosine kinase inhibition activity. Accordingly, these prior art compounds can be useful in the treatment of cancer and other pathological proliferative conditions, typically in inhibiting the development of the atheromatous plaque in mammals. Now we have found that a selected class of known compounds according to WO 91/13055 and WO 93/01182 are active as angiogenesis inhibitors. Accordingly, the present invention relates to the use of a compound of formula (I) wherein Y is a bicyclic ring selected from naphthalene, tetralin, quinoline, isoquinoline and indole; n is zero or an integer of 1 to 3; R, is hydrogen, C,-C 0 alkyl or C 2 -C 6 alkanoyl; R 2 is hydrogen, halogen, C,-C 6 alkyl, cyano, carboxy, nitro, or NHR, wherein R is hydrogen or C,-C 6 alkyl; R 3 is hydrogen or C,-C 6 alkyl; R 4 is hydrogen, hydroxy, C,-C 6 alkoxy, C 2 -C 6 alkanoyloxy, carboxy, nitro or NHR, wherein R is as defined above; R 5 is hydrogen, C,-C 6 alkyl or halogen; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and wherein when Y is naphthalene then n is zero or an integer of 1 to 3, whereas when Y is tetralin, quinol¬ ine, isoquinoline or indole then n is zero, 1 or 2; and wherein when the bicyclic ring Y is naphthalene, quinoline, isoquinoline or indole then each of the substituents OR,, and oxindolylidene may be independently on either of the aryl or heteroaryl moieties of said bicyclic ring, whereas only the benzene moiety is substituted when Y is tetralin; and wherein when Y is naphthalene, tetralin, quinoline or isoquinoline, then R 2 is hydrogen, halogen, cyano or C,-C 6 alkyl and R 3 , R 4 and R 5 are hydrogen; whereas when Y is indole, then R 2 is hydrogen, halogen, C,-C 6 alkyl, cyano, carboxy, nitro or -NHR in which R is as defined above, R 3 is hydrogen or C]-C 6 alkyl, R 4 is hydrogen, hydroxy, C,-C 6 alkoxy, C 2 -C 6 alkanoyloxy, carboxy, nitro or -NHR wherein R is as defined above, and R 5 is hydrogen, halogen or C,-C 6 alkyl; in the preparation of a medicament for use as anti-angiogenic agent. The present invention also provides a compound of formula (I) , as defined above, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for use in the inhibition of angiogenesis in mammals, including humans. Object of the present invention is also to provide a pharmaceutical composition having anti-angiogenetic activity comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or diluent and, as an active principle, a compound of formula (I) , as defined above, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The term tetralin is meant to refer to a 5,6,7,8-tetra- hydronaphthalene ring. The oxidolylidene substituent is preferably linked to position 1 or 2 of the naphthalene or tetralin ring, to position 4 or 5 of the quinoline ring, to position 5 or 8 of the isoquinoline ring and to position 2 or 3 of the indole ring, in particular to position 3. The R 2 substituent is preferably on the benzene moiety when Y is indole. The OR, groups and the oxindolylidene radical are preferably on the same benzene moiety when Y is naphthalene. The OR, groups are preferably on the benzene moiety of the quinoline, isoquinoline or indole ring, whereas the oxindolylidene radical may be independently on either of the aryl or heteroaryl moiety of said bicyclic ring system. When n is 2 or 3, the OR groups may be the same or different. An OR, substituent is preferably linked to position 2, 3 or 4 when Y is 1-tetralyl or 1-naphthyl; it is preferably linked to position 1, 3 or 4 when Y is 2- tetralyl or 2-naphthyl. An OR, substituent is preferably linked to position 6, 7 or 8 when Y is 4- or 5-quinolyl. An OR, substituent is preferably linked to position 4, 5, 6 or 7 when Y is 2- or 3-indolyl, in particular to position 5. Of course only one of the substituents OR,, R 2 and oxindolylidene can be linked to the same position in the bicyclic ring system Y. The R 4 substituent is preferably linked to position 4 or 5, in particular to position 5. When Y is indole and R 4 is carboxy, nitro or NHR, in which R is as defined above, the R 2 substituent preferably has not the same meanings. Vice versa, when R 2 is carboxy, nitro or NHR, in which R is as defined above, the R 4 substituent preferably is other than carboxy, nitro or NHR. The alkyl groups, and the alkyl moiety in the alkanoyl groups, may be branched or straight alkyl chains. A C,-C 6 alkyl group is preferably a C,-C 4 alkyl group, e.g. methyl, ethyl, propyl, isσpropyl, butyl, sec-butyl or tert-butyl, in particular methyl or ethyl. A C 2 -C 6 alkanoyl group is preferably a C 2 -C 4 alkanoyl group, in particular acetyl, propionyl or butyryl. A halogen is preferably chlorine, bromine or fluorine, in particular fluorine. The invention also includes within its scope all the possible iso ers, stereoiso ers, in particular Z- and E- isomers and their mixtures, and the metabolites and the metabolic precursors or bio-precursors (otherwise known as pro-drugs) of the compounds of formula (I) . As already said, the invention includes within its scope also the pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of formula (I) . Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of the invention include acid addition salts, with inorganic, e.g. nitric, hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulphuric, perchloric and phosphoric acids, or organic, e.g. acetic, propionic, glycolic, lactic, oxalic, malonic, malic, maleic, tartaric, citric, benzoic, cinnamic, mandelic and salicylic acids, and salts with inorganic, e.g. alkali metal, especially sodium or potassium, bases or alkaline-earth metal, especially calcium or magnesium bases, or with organic bases, e.g. alkylamines, preferably triethyl-amine. As stated above, the present invention also includes within its scope pharmaceutically acceptable bio- precursors (otherwise known as pro-drugs) of the compounds of formula (I), i.e. compounds which have a different formula to formula (I) above, but which nevertheless upon administration to a human being are converted directly or indirectly in vivo into a compound of formula (I) . Preferred compounds of formula (I) are those wherein, subject to the above proviso, Y is naphthalene, tetralin, quinoline or indole and wherein when Y is naphthalene, tetralin or quinoline, then n is zero, 1 or 2; and R,, R 2 , R 3 , R, and R 5 are hydrogen; whereas when Y is indole, then n is zero or 1; R, is hydrogen or C,-C 4 alkyl; R 2 is hydrogen, amino, carboxy, cyano or C,-C 4 alkyl; R 3 and R, are hydrogen; and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Exa ples of specific preferred componds of formula (I) are: 3-[ (2'-naphthyl) ethylen]-2-oxindole m.p.: 207-209° IR: 3300-3100 (NH) , 1720 (CO), 1630,1620 cm '1 ; 3-[ (l'-hydroxy-2'-naphthyl)methylen]-2-oxindole IR: 3500-3100 (OH, NH) , 1680 (CO) cm '1 ; 3-[ (3'-hydroxy-2'-naphthyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3 ~[ (4'-hydroxy-2'-naphthyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3-[ (1'-naphthyl)methylen]-2-oxindole m.p.: 179-81° IR 3500-3100 (OH, NH) , 1680 (CO), 1610,1560 cm '1 ; 3- (2'-hydroxy-1'-naphthyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3- (3'-hydroxy-1'-naphthyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3- (4'-hydroxy-1'-naphthyl)methylen]-2-oxindole IR 3500-3100 (NH,OH), 1680 (CO), 1610,1570,1510 cm '1 ; 3- (3 '-hydroxy-1'-tetralyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3- (4'-hydroxy-1'-tetralyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3- (2'-hydroxy-1'-tetralyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3- (1'-tetralyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3- (2'-tetralyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3- (1'-hydroxy-2'-tetralyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3- (3'-hydroxy-2'-tetralyl)methylen]-2-oxindole IR 3500-3100 (NH,OH), 1685 (CO), 1610,1570 (C=C)cm' 1 ; 3- (4'-hydroxy-2'-tetralyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3- (1' ,4'-dihydroxy-2'-tetralyl)methylen]-2-oxindole IR 3500-3100 (OH,NH) , 1680 (CO), 1620 cm '1 ; 3-[ (2-quinolyl)methylen]-2-oxindole IR: 3180 (NH) , 1710 (CO), 1620,1595,1505 (C=C) cm "1 ; 3-[ (4-hydroxy-2-quinoly1) ethylen]-2-oxindole; 3-[ (3-quinolyl)methylen]-2-oxindole IR: 3500-3100 (NH) , 1695 (CO), 1620,1580 (C=C,C=N); 3-[ (4-quinolyl)methylen]-2-oxindole m.p.: 277-9° IR: 3300-2600 (NH) , 1710 (CO), 1640,1620,1570 cm '1 ; 3-[ (5-quinolyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3-[ (6-hydroxy-5-quinolyl) ethylen]-2-oxindole; 3-[ (7-hydroxy-5-quinolyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3-[ (8-hydroxy-5-quinolyl)methylen]-2-oxindole m.p. : 282-4° IR: 3400-2800 (NH,OH), 1690 (CO), 1670,1610 (C=C)cm '1 ; 3-[ (6-quinolyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3-[ (5-hydroxy-6-quinolyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3-[ (7-hydroxy-6-quinolyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3-[ (8-hydroxy-6-quinolyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 5-hydroxy-3-[ (3 '-indolyl) ethylen]-2-oxindole IR: 3600-2500 (NH,OH) , 1650 (CO), 1600,1580 cm '1 ; 3-[ (5'-carboxy-3 '-indolyl)methylen]-2-oxindole IR: 3600-2100 (NH,OH), 1710(CO), 1640, 1620, 1600(atom) ; 3-[ (5'-amino-3'-indolyl)methylen]-2-oxindole IR: 3300,2380 (NH) , 1670 (CO), 1600,1510 (C=C) ; 5-carboxy-3-[ (3'-indolyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 5-amino-3-[ (3'-indolyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 5-hydroxy-3-[ (5'-hydroxy-3'-indolyl)methylen]-2-oxindole IR: 3600-2600 (NH,OH), 1655 (CO), 1605,1585 (C=C) ; 5 -hydroxy- 3- [ (7 ' -hydroxy-3 '-indolyl) methylen] -2- oxindole; 3- [ (5 ' , 7 ' -dihydroxy-3 ' -indolyl) methylen] -2-oxindole; 5-amino-3-[ (5 '-hydroxy-3 '-indolyl) methylen] -2-oxindole; 5-hydroxy-3 - [ ( 5 ' -amino-3 ' -indolyl ) methylen ] -2 -oxindole ; 5-carboxy-3-[ (5' -hydroxy-3 ' -indolyl) methylen] -2- oxindole; 5 -hydroxy- 3- [ (5 ' -carboxy- 3 '-indolyl) methylen] -2- oxindole; 5-amino-3 - [ ( 7 ' -hydroxy-3 ' -indolyl ) methylen ] -2 -oxindole ; 5-carboxy-3-[ (7' -hydroxy-3 ' -indolyl) methylen] -2- oxindole; 5-methoxy-3- [ (5 ' -methoxy-3 ' -indolyl) ethylen] -2- oxindole; 5-acetoxy-3-[ (5' -acetoxy-3 ' -indolyl) ethylen] -2- oxindole; 3-[ (5'-carboxy-3'-indolyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3-[ (5'-amino-3'-indolyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3-[ (5'-nitro-3'-indolyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3-[ (l'-methyl-3'-indolyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3-[ (3'-indolyl)methylen]-l-methyl-2-oxindole m.p. : 230° IR: 3300-2000 (NH) , 1680 (CO), 1610,1600,1570 (C=C) ; if the case, either as single Z- or E- diastereoisomers or as a mixture thereof; and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The compounds of formula (I) according to the present invention, and the salts thereof, are known compounds and can be prepared by a process comprising reacting a compound of formula (II) wherein Y, R,, R 2 and n are as defined above, with a compound of formula (III) wherein R 3 , R 4 and R 5 are as defined above, using the methods and conditions as disclosed in the aforesaid international patent applications WO. 91/13055 and WO. 93/01182. The compounds of formulae (II) and (III) are known or may be obtained as described in the aforesaid patent applications. PHARMACOLOGY The compounds of the invention have been found to be active as angiogenesis inhibitors. An angiogenesis inhibitor is an agent capable of suppressing the growth of new blood vessels. Therefore, the compounds of the present invention are useful in treating several pathological conditions in mammals, including humans, where the growth of new blod vessels is detrimental, for example in chronic inflammation, diabetic retinopathy, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, tumor growth, in particular -solid tumors, and development of metastases. In particular, in cancer therapy the compounds of the invention can be administered alone or in association with an antitumor agent as herebelow defined. The angiogenesis inhibitor activity of the compounds of the present invention is shown, e.g., by the fact that they have been found to be active in the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) test according to the Folkman's method [Nature. 297, 307 (1982)]. For instance, the representative compound of the invention 3-[ (1' ,4'-dihydroxy-2'-tetralyl)methylen]-2- oxindole, internal code FCE 26806, when thested in the CAM assay provided 87% positive CAMs, with inhibition area at 40 μmol/pellet. In addition, FCE 26806 was found to be active in the collagen gel assay as described by R. Montesano et al. in Cell 4_2, 469 (1985) , inhibiting the invasion of the endothelial cells in a dose-dependent manner (43% and 22% inhibition at the concentration of 20 and 10 μM, respectively) . The compounds of the invention can.be administered in a variety of dosage forms, e.g. orally, in the form of tablets, capsules, sugar or film-coated tablets, liquid solutions or suspensions; rectally, in the form of suppositories; parenterally, e.g. intramuscularly, or by intravenous injection or infusion; or topically. The dosage depends on the age, weight, condition of the patient and administration route; for example, the dosage adopted for oral administration of the compound 3-[ (l,4-dihydroxy-2'-tetralyl)methylen]-2-oxindole to adult humans may range from about 5 to about 150-200 mg per dose, from 1 to 5 times daily. Of course, these dosage regimens may be adjusted to provide the optimal therapeutic response. The pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention are usually prepared following conventional methods and are administered in a pharmaceutically suitable form. For example, the solid oral forms may contain, together with the active compound, diluents, e.g., lactose, dextrose, saccharose, cellulose, corn starch or potato starch; lubricants, e.g., silica, talc, stearic acid, magnesium or calcium stearate, and/or polyethylene glycols; binding agents, e.g., starches, arabic gums, gelatin, methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose or polyvinyl pyrrolidone; disaggregating agents, e.g. a starch, alginic acid, alginates or sodium starch glycolate, effervescing mixtures; dyestuffs; sweeteners; wetting agents, such as lecithin, polysorbates, laurylsulphates; and, in general, non-toxic and pharmacologically inactive substances used in pharmaceutical formulations. Said pharmaceutical preparations may be manufactured in known manner, for example, by means of mixing, granulating, tabletting, sugar-coating or film-coating processes. The liquid dispersion for oral administration may be, e.g., syrups, emulsions and suspensions. The syrup may contain as carrier, for example, saccharose or saccharose with glycerine and/or mannitol and/or sorbitol. The suspensions and the emulsions may contain as carrier, for example, a natural gum, agar, sodium alginate, pectin, methylcellulose, carboxy ethyl- cellulose or polyvinyl alcohol. The suspensions or solutions for intramuscular injections may contain, together with the active compound, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, e.g. sterile water, olive oil, ethyl oleate, glycols, e.g. propylene glycol, and, if desired, a suitable amount of lidocaine hydrochloride. The solutions for intravenous injections or infusions may contain as carrier, for example, sterile water or, preferably, they may be in the form of sterile, aqueous, isotonic saline solutions. The suppositories may contain, together with the active compound, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, e.g. cocoa-butter, polyethylene glycol, a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester surfactant or lecithin. Compositions for topical application, e.g. , creams, lotions, or pastes, can be prepared by mixing the active ingredient with a conventional oleaginous or emulsifying excipient. A further object of the present invention is a combined method of treatment of the above mentioned pathological conditions in mammals, including humans, in need of such treatment, said method comprising administering 1) an angiogenesis inhibitor according to the invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and 2) a different pharmaceutically active agent, typically an antitumor agent, in amounts and close enough together in time sufficient to produce a therapeutically useful effect. The present invention also provides products containing an angiogenesis inhibitor of the invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and an antitumor agent as a combined preparation for simultaneous, separate or sequential use in anti-cancer therapy. The term "antitumor agent" is meant to comprise both a single antitumor drug and "cocktails", i.e. a mixture of such drugs, according to clinical practice. Examples of antitumor agents that can be formulated with an angiogenesis inhibitor according to the invention or alternatively, can be administered in a combined method of treatment, include doxorubicin, daunomycin, epirubicin, idarubicin, etoposide, fluorouracil, mephalan, cyclophosphamide, bleomycin, vinblastine and mitomycin and mixtures of two or more thereof. The angiogenesis inhibitors of the invention can therefore be used in a treatment to ameliorate a cancer. They may be administered to a patient suffering from a cancer treatable with an antitumor agent, for example an anthracycline glycoside such as doxorubicin, daunomycin, epirubicin or idarubicin as mentioned above, together with the antitumor agent. An angiogenesis inhibitor of the invention alone or in association with an antitumor agent such as an anthracycline glycoside can be therefore administered to improve the condition of a patient having a leukaemia such as myeloblastic leukaemia, lymphoma, sarcoma, neuroblastoma, Wilm's tumor or malignant neoplasm of the bladder, breast, lung or thyroid. The following examples of pharmaceutical formulations illustrate but do not limit the present invention. Example 1 Tablets each weighing 0.150 g and containing 25 mg of the active substance, can be manufactured as follows: composition (for 10,000 tablets): . 3-[ (3'-hydroxy-2'-tetralyl)methylen]- 2-oxindole 250 g Lactose 800 g Corn starch 415 g Talc powder 30 g Magnesium stearate 5 g The 3-[ (3'-hydroxy-2'-tetralyl)methylen]-2-oxindole, the lactose and half the corn starch are mixed; the mixture is then forced through a sieve of 0.5 mm mesh size. Corn starch (10 g) is suspended in warm water (90 ml) and the resulting paste is used to granulate the powder.The granulate is dried, comminuted on a sieve of 1.4 mm mesh size, then the remaining quantity of starch, talc and magnesium stearate are added, carefully mixed and processed into tablets. Example 2 Capsules, each dosed at 0.200 g and containing 20 mg of the active substance can be prepared. Composition for 500 capsules: 3-[ (1' ,4'-dihydroxy-2'-tetralyl)methylen]- 2-oxindole 10 g Lactose 80 g Corn starch 5 g Magnesium stearate 5 g This formulation is encapsulated in two-piece hard gelatin capsules and dosed at 0.200 g for each capsule.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. The use of a compound of formula (I) wherein Y is a bicyclic ring selected from naphthalene, tetralin, quinoline, isoquinoline and indole; n is zero or an integer of 1 to 3; R, is hydrogen, C,-C 6 alkyl or C 2 -C 6 alkanoyl; R 2 is hydrogen, halogen, C,-C 6 alkyl, cyano, carboxy, nitro, or NHR, wherein R is hydrogen or C,-C 6 alkyl; R 3 is hydrogen or C,-C 6 alkyl; R 4 is hydrogen, hydroxy, C,-C 6 alkoxy, C 2 -C 6 alkanoyloxy, carboxy, nitro or NHR, wherein R is as defined above; R 5 is hydrogen, C,-C 6 alkyl or halogen; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and wherein when Y is naphthalene then n is zero or an integer of 1 to 3, whereas when Y is tetralin, quinoline, isoquinoline or indole then n is zero, 1 or 2; and wherein when the bicyclic ring Y is naphthalene, quinoline, isoquinoline or indole, then each of the substituents OR,, R 2 and oxindolylidene may be independently on either of the aryl or heteroaryl moieties of said bicyclic ring, whereas only the benzene moiety is substituted when Y is tetralin; and wherein when Y is naphthalene, tetralin, quinoline or isoquinoline, then R 2 is hydrogen, halogen, cyano or C,-C 6 alkyl and R 3 , R 4 and R 5 are hydrogen; whereas when Y is indole, then R 2 is hydrogen, halogen, C,-C 6 alkyl, cyano, carboxy, nitro or -NHR, in which R is as defined above, R 3 is hydrogen or C_-C b alkyl, R 4 is hydrogen, hydroxy, C,-C 6 alkoxy, C 2 -C 6 alkanoyloxy, carboxy, nitro or -NHR, wherein R is as defined above, and R 5 is hydrogen, halogen or C,-C ή alkyl; in the preparation of a medicament for use as anti-angiogenic agent. 2. The use of a compound of formula (I), or a salt thereof, according to claim 1, wherein in said compound Y is naphthalene, tetralin, quinoline or indole, and wherein when Y is naphthalene, tetralin or quinoline, then n is zero 1 or 2; and R,, R 2 , R 3 , R 4 and R 5 are hydrogen; whereas when Y is indole, then n is zero or 1; R, is hydrogen or C,-C 4 alkyl; R 2 is hydrogen, amino, carboxy, cyano or C,-C 4 alkyl; and R 3 and R 5 are hydrogen. 3. The use of a compound or formula (I) according to claim 1 wherein said compound is chosen from 3- 2'-naphthyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3- 1'-hydroxy-2'-naphthyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3- 3'-hydroxy-2'-naphthyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3- 4'-hydroxy-2'-naphthyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3- 1'-naphthyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3- 2'-hydroxy-1'-naphthyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3- 3'-hydroxy-1'-naphthyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3- 4'-hydroxy-1'-naphthyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3- 3'-hydroxy-1'-tetralyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3- 4 '-hydroxy-1'-tetralyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3- 2'-hydroxy-1'-tetralyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3- 1'-tetralyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3- 2'-tetralyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3- 1'-hydroxy-2'-tetralyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3- 3'-hydroxy-2'-tetralyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3- 4 '-hydroxy-2'-tetralyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3- 1' ,4'-dihydroxy-2'-tetralyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3- 2-quinolyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3- 4-hydroxy-2-quinolyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3- (3-quinolyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3- (4-quinolyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3- (5-quinolyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3- (6-hydroxy-5-quinolyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3- (7-hydroxy-5-quinolyl) ethylen]-2-oxindole; 3- (8-hydroxy-5-quinolyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3- (6-quinolyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3- (5-hydroxy-6-quinolyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3- (7-hydroxy-6-quinolyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3- (8-hydroxy-6-quinolyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 5-hydroxy-3-[ (3'-indolyl) ethylen]-2-oxindole; 3-r (5'-carboxy-3'-indolyl) ethylen]-2-oxindole; 3-[ (5'-amino-3'-indolyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 5-carboxy-3-[ (3 '-indolyl) methylen] -2 -oxindole; 5-amino-3- [ ( 3 ' -indolyl) methylen] -2-oxindole ; 5 -hydroxy- 3- [ (5 ' -hydroxy-3 ' -indolyl) methylen] -2- oxindole; 5 -hydroxy- 3- [ (7 '-hydroxy-3 ' -indolyl) methylen] -2 - oxindole; 3- [ (5 ' , 7 ' -dihydroxy-3 ' -indolyl) ethylen] -2 -oxindole ; 5 -amino-3- [ (5 ' -hydroxy-3 ' -indolyl) methylen] -2- oxindole; 5 -hydroxy- 3- [ (5'-amino-3'-indolyl) methylen] -2- oxindole; 5-carboxy-3-[ (5' -hydroxy-3 ' -indolyl) ethylen] -2- oxindole; 5 -hydroxy- 3- [ ( 5 ' -carboxy-3 ' -indolyl) methylen] -2- oxindole ; 5 -amino- 3 - [ ( 7 ' -hydroxy- 3 ' - indo ly l ) methy len ] - 2 - oxindole ; 5-carboxy-3-[ (7'-hydroxy-3 '-indolyl)methylen]-2- oxindole; 5-methoxy-3-[ (5'-methoxy-3 '-indolyl)methylen]-2- oxindole; 5-acetoxy-3-[ (5'-acetoxy-3 '-indolyl)methylen]-2- oxindole; 3-[ (5'-carboxy-3'-indolyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3-[ (5'-amino-3'-indolyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3-[ (5'-nitro-3'-indolyl) ethylen]-2-oxindole; 3-[ (l'-methyl-3'-indolyl)methylen]-2-oxindole; 3-[ (3'-indolyl)methylen]-l-methyl-2-oxindole; if the case, either as single Z- or E-diastereo- isomers or as a mixture thereof; or a pharma¬ ceutically acceptable salt thereof. 4. A compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as defined in claim 1, for use in the inhibition of angiogenesis in mammals. 5. A pharmaceutical composition having anti-angiogenic activity comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or diluent and as an active principle a compound of formula (I) as defined in claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 6. A combined method of treatment in mammals of a pathological condition where the growth of new vessels is detrimental, said method comprising administering 1) an angiogenesis inhibitor, as defined in claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and 2) a different pharmaceutically active agent, in amounts and close enough together in time sufficient to produce a therapeutically useful effect. 7. Products containing an angiogenesis inhibitor as defined in claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and an antitumor agent as a combined preparation for simultaneous, separate or sequential use in anti-cancer therapy. 8. A method of treating a pathological condition where the growth of new blood vessels is detrimental, comprising administering to a host suffering from said pathological condition a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) , as defined in claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Inventors: BALLINARI DARIO, BRASCA MARIA GABRIELLA, BUZZETTI FRANCO, CRUGNOLA ANGELO, LONGO ANTONIO, MARIANI MARIANGELA, ORZI FABRIZIO, BALLINARI, DARIO, BRASCA, MARIA, GABRIELLA, BUZZETTI, FRANCO, CRUGNOLA, ANGELO, LONGO, ANTONIO, MARIANI, MARIANGELA, ORZI, FABRIZIO
Applicants: PHARMACIA SPA, PHARMACIA S.P.A.
Application year: 1994
Main classification: A61K31
IPC codes: A61K31, A61K38, A61P27, A61P29, A61P35, C07D209, C07D401